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44 cool and unique gifts for teen girls and boys — beginning as low as $3!

Updated
44 cool and unique gifts for teen girls and boys — beginning as low as $3!

I've written dozens, if not hundreds, of gift guides in my career, and despite it all I continue to find that teens are one of the hardest groups to buy a gift for. They've grown up in a world with online shopping, where anything you could ever want is just a few clicks and two-to-five business days away. They don't remember a world when your personal style was limited to whatever the stores in your local mall carried or whatever you were able to find via mail order catalogues.

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Teens are a chronically online cohort, but it's this — the relentless barrage of TikTok recommendations and the fact that they can find and buy anything they want when they want it — that makes them so hard to shop for. That, and the fact that younger teens and tweens might still be into the obsessions of their childhood, while older teens are inching closer toward adulthood and the swirling stew of complexities that come with it. Thirteen is a heck of a lot different than 17, after all.

Still, no matter what teens have going on in their lives, there are some gifts I've discovered through the years that are universally loved by all teens, whether they're into movies and music, or makeup and mochas. Below, we've sourced several of the best gifts out there for teen girls and boys, from affordable tchotchkes for under $5 to splurgy gifts over $100.

In this article: Gifts For Teen Girls | Gifts for Teen Boys | Gifts around $5 | Gifts under $10 | Gifts under $20 | Gifts under $25 | Gifts under $50 | Gifts under $100 | Gifts over $100+

Our Favorite Gifts For Teens

A phone is a teen's No. 1 accessory. Help them take care of it with a stylish and protective phone case. This one from Casetify is lightweight but provides strong protection. And it's magsafe to boot.

$72 at Casetify

You can be sure she’s drinking enough water when she has one of these Stanley Quencher insulated mugs. These 40-ounce containers come in 20 different stylish colors, and come with a lid and straw. Reviewers say that it’s “worth the money,” making it Amazon’s no. 1 best seller in the home and kitchen category.

$45 at Amazon

These newest styles of AirPods are designed with personalized spatial audio and are sweat and water resistant. They also come with a lightning charging case and should have 30 hours of battery life. 

$111 at Amazon
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$140 at Walmart$169 at Adorama

The lululemon Belt Bag is iconic for a reason, and that’s because it carries everything a gal needs while keeping her hands free. It’s made of a durable water-resistant nylon, and comes in a mix of crowd pleasing colors, from Barbie pink to moody neutrals.

$48 at lululemon

Every teen needs a small portable speaker, ideally one that’s waterproof. This one is small enough to carry with them in their backpack or purse, and includes a handy carrying loop to attach a carabiner. It’s a great gift for the teen who wants a shower speaker, too.

$50 at Amazon
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$42 at Walmart$50 at Adorama

Gifts Under $5

These retro vinyl record coasters come in a pack of six different record label designs. It’s the perfect gift for the teen who's never without their headphones.

$4 at Amazon

Trinket dishes are useful in pretty much every room of the home, from the entryway to the kitchen to the bathroom. For under $3, this one’s a steal.

$3 at Amazon
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$9 at Michaels

A tin of almonds probably doesn’t sound like an exciting gift idea, but these aren’t just any almonds. These are spicy dill pickle-flavored almonds — that have nearly 35,000 reviews! They’re perfect for the teen who has a salty, spicy tooth. If dill pickle flavoring their thing, you can also pick up a tin of Elote Mexican street corn-flavored almonds.

$3 at Amazon

Sheet masks are one of the best gifts money can buy. One can never have too many of them, and they usually come in multipacks where you can easily split them among giftees. This pick, however, is just one sheet mask, for those who need an affordable add-on to their gift, but you can find multipacks here.

$3 at Amazon
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$3 at Macy's$4 at Ulta Beauty

Gifts Under $10

These hair-drying towels are great gifts for teen girls. It’s a two-pack as well, so you can split the pack among two giftees if you want.

$7 at Amazon

Pocky is one of the most famous Japanese sweet treats around. This package of Pocky includes nine individual-sized bags, perfect for splitting and sharing. Of course, they’d also make an excellent gift for one lucky recipient.

$6 at Amazon
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$4 at Target

Teens love fairy lights, and these battery-powered ones are delicate enough for them to put on a desk or dresser.

$7 at Amazon

These headbands are designed to wear while washing your face to keep your hairline dry and clean. We especially love that this set comes in four colors so you can pull out a fresh one when it's wash day.

$10 at Amazon

Whether you’re shopping for a teen boy, nephew, boyfriend or husband, you can’t go wrong by loading up gifting him treats like Jack Links original beef jerky. This five-pack of snackable sizes is perfect for him to share with others or enjoy alone.

$7 at Amazon
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$7 at Target

In this graphic novel four newspaper-delivery girls in the sleepy suburbs are caught up in a war between time-travelers, launching them on a trippy sci-fi adventure.

$9 at Amazon

For the older teens and young adults on your list, this graphic novel chronics the author's life in Iran during the Islamic Revolution in the 70s and 80s. It’s a powerful, wise, funny and sometimes heartbreaking story. 

$10 at Amazon

Gifts Under $20

We’re a fan of the classics, especially for gifts. This classic Jenga set is made up of 54 genuine hardwood blocks. We especially love this game because it's hours of fun for the whole family. 

$15 at Walmart
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$14 at Nordstrom$16 at Kohl's

A graphic novel classic, “Watchmen” tells the story of a team of retired superheroes who find themselves reluctantly drawn back together after one of their members is murdered.

$14 at Amazon

Just adapted into a Netflix animated show, “Scott Pilgrim” tells the story of a bass-playing slacker who’s met the girl of his dreams — but to date her, he’ll have to defeat her seven evil exes in combat.

$19 at Amazon

These star-shaped pimple patches are an essential for every teen. They absorb fluid, reduce inflammation and limit redness. Plus, they’re so cute you might want to have a breakout or two just so you can wear them.

$15 at Amazon
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$15 at Walmart$15 at CVS Pharmacy

Upgrade his wallet with this slim RFID card holder from Herschel. If he needs something that’ll also hold a few coins, we recommend the Herschel Oscar RFID wallet instead.

$7 at Amazon

If she’s the type of girl who would rather carry a tote bag than a purse, she would probably appreciate this set of scrunchies with hidden pockets for storing keys and cash. They can be worn to concerts to store loose cash, or even for storing keys while out on a run.

$20 at Uncommon Goods

These 32-ounce reusable bottles are a favorite among hikers, campers, bikers and outdoor lovers for a reason. They’re lightweight, easy-to-clean, made of BPA-free recycled plastic, dishwasher safe and are made in the USA. I own several, and recommend keeping a carabiner on it for hands-free carrying.

$16 at Amazon

Give him the gift of a beanie with over 160,000 five-star reviews! This Carhartt men’s knit cuffed beanie is designed for warmth and comfort. It includes a sewn Carhartt label on the front cuff and is made with a stretchable rib-knit construction. It comes in over 35 colors, as well.

$14 at Amazon

Mario Badescu’s crowd-pleasing products can be gifted to teens, nieces, friends and moms alike. This three-pack of the brand’s well-loved lip balms includes their original, rose and mint flavors.

$24 at Amazon
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$18 at Mario Badescu

Gifts Under $25

If you know a teen who would eat cereal for three meals a day, then this is the gift for them. It comes with a ceramic bowl filled with wax “milk” and a real spoon. The wax “cereal” and “marshmallows” are poured on top, just like real cereal. If you choose to burn it, you’ll be rewarded with a pleasant vanilla scent. You can also choose from other foods, like macaroni and cheese, Goldfish crackers, and even a bowl of trail mix.

$24 at Amazon

For the teen who loves to hang at Starbucks ordering drinks that are 90% sugar and 10% coffee, there is no greater gift than a Starbucks gift card.

$25 at Amazon

Everything that’s old is new again, as evidenced by the fact that these retro-style Casio watches are on trend once again. They’re a great fit for teens and young adults who are into vintage fashion. Reviewers love the “old school” and “retro look” of this watch, which includes a stainless steel wristband and beige clock face. It includes an LED screen and is water-resistant, too.

$22 at Amazon

Movies and CDs used to be a go-to gift for teens, but now that they can stream everything on demand, you have to get a little bit more creative. This movie scratch-off poster is a great gift for the teen who’s trying to watch some of Hollywood’s greatest hits. Of course, this gift is best suited for older teens, as many of the movie recommendations are for mature viewers.

$25 at Amazon

Because they can never have too many sweatshirts. This one comes in sizes XS to 4X and is available in a selection of styles and colors.

$25 at Amazon

Gifts under $50

This Philips Norelco OneBlade First Shave electric razor is an excellent gift for the tween or teen on your list. It’s designed with a coated blade and rounded tips to prevent razor burn and cuts for first-time shavers. Even if you’re not shopping for a teen, reviewers recommend this shaver in particular for those with sensitive skin or who deal with painful ingrown hairs.

$38 at Amazon

This art supply kit includes three sketchbooks, graphite, charcoal, watercolor and metallic pencils, markers, colored pencils and all of the accessories a “budding artist” could need, as reviewers say. Many claim that it’s a “great gift” and “good quality.”

$25 at Amazon

Every teen needs a small portable speaker, ideally one that’s waterproof. This one is small enough to carry with them in their backpack or purse, and includes a handy carrying loop to attach a carabiner. It’s a great gift for the teen who wants a shower speaker, too.

$50 at Amazon
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$42 at Walmart$50 at Adorama

Bean bags are a rite of passage for every teen. These ones from popular brand Big Joe come in 15 different colors and styles. And at around $40, they’re affordable enough to get for every kid on your gift list.

$39 at Amazon
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$39 at Walmart

This Glossier You rollerball perfume has a light, barely-there fragrance that’s great for older teens. The rollerball design is perfect for the teen who wants to toss it in their bag for quick touch-ups after marching band practice or before drama rehearsal.

$28 at Glossier

If they need a new hobby to keep them busy on weekends, this pickleball set includes everything for a family day out in the park for a few rounds. This set includes four paddles, four pickleballs and one stylish net carrying bag.

$43 at Amazon

The lululemon Belt Bag is iconic for a reason, and that’s because it carries everything a gal needs while keeping her hands free. It’s made of a durable water-resistant nylon, and comes in a mix of crowd pleasing colors, from Barbie pink to moody neutrals.

$48 at lululemon

Jellycat makes some of the best plushies around, including this scrumptious sandwich plushie that would make a great gift for the teen who loves sandwiches more than Joey Tribbiani. There are other plushies to choose from here, like a boba tea, a taco and a croissant.

$33 at Amazon

You can be sure she’s drinking enough water when she has one of these Stanley Quencher insulated mugs. These 40-ounce containers come in 20 different stylish colors, and come with a lid and straw. Reviewers say that it’s “worth the money,” making it Amazon’s no. 1 best seller in the home and kitchen category.

$45 at Amazon

If she’s been working on her desk set up, this mechanical typewriter-style keyboard might be what's missing. These types of keyboards have made the rounds on TikTok and she’ll love hearing the satisfying click-clack of the keyboard while she types. Just be sure to get a color that matches her bedroom aesthetic!

$31 at Amazon

Mushroom-inspired home decor gives cozy and energetic vibes for spring and summer. This mushroom-shaped bedside lamp is made of shatterproof striped glass, and comes in several colors like yellow and green.

$25 at Amazon

Gifts Under $100

A phone is a teen's No. 1 accessory. Help them take care of it with a stylish and protective phone case. This one from Casetify is lightweight but provides strong protection. And it's magsafe to boot.

$72 at Casetify

Teens love anything personalized, but bonus points are awarded for things that are monogrammed and are super cute. This Stoney Clover Lane small pouch is versatile enough to store beauty and makeup or art supplies and electronic cables. Choose from several pouch prints and patterns, and customize with all kinds of patches for a truly one-of-a-kind gift.

$68 at Stoney Clover Lane

Fjallraven’s Kanken backpack is a classic, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s stylish, practical, easy to wash, well made and comes in a huge selection of colors for any style or personality. Our personal favorite is the black with red detailing, as it’s currently on sale for its lowest price (!) in 30 days.

$60 at Amazon

Gifts over $100+

I.E. the "it" shoe for chronically online people. This gender neutral silhouette was originally designed as a soccer shoe, but calls back to its origins with its luxe leathers and iconic three stripes at the sides. It's available in women's sizes 5.5 to 15. 

$100 at Nordstrom

We’re sorry to say, but low-rise jeans are popular among the kids again. The low-rise, loose-fitting dad jeans are a great example of 90s fashions becoming popular once again. They’re available in sizes 23 to 34 and in three different lengths. Choose from six different colors and washes.

$108 at Levi's

This Nike Tech Essentials hooded jacket is a great addition a streetwear wardrobe. It’s designed to be semi-fitted to the body for great range of motion and for safety when working out. 

$125 at Nordstrom

The teens are turning to 00s fashion, so of course short Ugg boots had to make a return. These slippers are made with real sheepskin and wool, and are designed to be water resistant.

$150 at Zappos

These newest styles of AirPods are designed with personalized spatial audio and are sweat and water resistant. They also come with a lightning charging case and should have 30 hours of battery life. 

$111 at Amazon
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$140 at Walmart$169 at Adorama